Phil Matier: Oakland Police Gear Up For Weekend Occupy Protest
OAKLAND (KCBS) — Oakland police are gearing up for another busy weekend as Occupy protesters have vowed to take to the streets Saturday night.
The group is holding a "FTP March Against Police Brutality" at 7 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza in which participants are encouraged to wear black.
A note about the event on the Occupy Oakland website reads:
"If you identify as peaceful and are likely to interfere with the actions of your fellow protestors in any way (including telling them to stop performing a particular action, grappling, assaulting or holding them for arrest), you may not want to attend this march. It is a militant action. It attracts anti-capitalists, anti-fascists and other comrades of a revolutionary bent. It is not a march intended for people who are not fully comfortable with diversity of tactics."
KCBS and Chronicle Insider Reports:
KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier recalled what happened last weekend when protesters attempted to occupy the vacant Kaiser convention center.
"All hell broke loose Saturday night", he said referring to the arrest of 409 people for violations including trespassing and unlawful assembly.
"The cops really don't know what they're getting into this week. They don't know if there's going to be a big turnout if the weather's good," he said.
Matier also said there could be reaction to last week's arrests. He noted that hundreds of police officers will have their weekends cancelled and that they must report for work at 6 p.m.
As far as Mayor Jean Quan's attempt this past week to reach out to the Occupy Movement to differentiate the peaceful protesters from anarchists, Matier said it was a failed attempt and that the movement doesn't have a national-scale leader.
"Occupy isn't just a movement and a message. It's about getting attention. The more police react, the more attention it receives."
Matier said the system is overwhelmed especially with all the arrests that are occurring and that the police and sheriffs are at their wits end.
Related Coverage:
Photo Gallery – Latest Occupy Oakland Protests
Officials Name Occupy Oakland Protesters Ordered To Stay Away
Oakland Police Video Shows Protesters In City Hall, Burning Flag
Occupy Oakland Members Claim Police Abuse During Protest
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